How to sharpen your form this summer

The winter was loooong, and we are technically in spring for another month. But so far this year, you’ve had lots of rides on the weekends, steady weekday spins. You’ve probably got a decent base. 

But if you feel like legs aren’t snapping the way they should during sprints or maybe longer efforts feel a bit flat, don’t fret! It’s still May, so there’s still all kinds of summer ahead. Now is a good time to sharpen your form for the rest of the season. Here’s how.

Hit up a group ride

Cruisy weekend rides with friends are great. It’s nice for catching up and grabbing a coffee mid-spin. But if you’re looking to add some intensity, they may not be enough. Look for a fast-paced drop ride. Maybe one that has you fighting to hang on. You’ll still get the social side of group riding, but with the added benefit of being pushed to your limits. It’s a fun, hard way to build top-end fitness without heading to the pain cave alone. Death lines with pals, suffering on the wheel, I mean, who doesn’t love that?

Cut back on never-ending endurance rides

Long rides are the foundation of good form. But too many of them can leave your legs too drained to go hard when it counts. If you’re stacking multiple five-hour days, chances are you’re dulling your edge. So instead, once the summer really kicks in, maybe turn back the volume and focus on quality instead.That means shorter rides with targeted efforts that push your limits. The fitness is already there; now it’s time to wake it up. That doesn’t mean you should skip your long rides, but just mix it up more.

Another tip? If you’re already bored of your go-to training route, try doing it in reverse! All those uphills are descents but you’ll be amazed at the new scenery from the other side of the road. It’s like a brand-new set of roads, for real.

Add interval training for efficient training

Intervals are one of the most efficient ways to get faster–especially if time is tight. First off, you’ve gotta pick a goal. Want to work on your kick? Do you need to get better up the hills? Or do you want to take off some time in your local TT. Then design your sessions to match. If you don’t have a coach, there are plenty of resources online (including here on Canadian Cycling Magazine.) Even a few weeks of focused intervals can bring real gains.

Switch up the terrain

If you’ve got a ‘cross, gravel or mountain bike collecting dust, now’s the time to put it to use. Riding trails or…